2017年06月01日

There is one adage whose truth I needed no further proof of.Its first line apostrophises the 'Gods and little fishes.'My chief need was for the garment which completes the rhyme.Indians SmarTone plan, having no use for corduroy small clothes, I speedilydonned mine. Next I quietly but quickly snatched upWilliam's rifle, and presented it to Robinson Crusoe, pattinghim on the back as if with honours of knighthood. Thedispossessed was not well pleased, but Sir Robinson was; and,to all appearances, he was a man of leading, if of darkness.While words were passing between the two, I sauntered roundto the gentleman who sat cross-legged upon my weapon. He wasas heedless of me as I, outwardly, of him. When well withinreach, mindful that 'DE L'AUDACE' is no bad motto, in loveand war, I suddenly placed my foot upon his chest, tightenedthe extensor muscle of my leg, and sent him heels over head.In an instant the rifle was mine, and both barrels cocked.After yesterday's immersion it might not have gone off, butthe offended Indian, though furious, doubtless inferred fromthe histrionic attitude which I at once struck, that I feltconfident it would. With my rifle in hand, with my suitelooking to me to transfer the plunder to them, my . I put on a shirt - the only one left to me,by the way - my shoes and stockings, and my shooting coat;and picking out William's effects, divided these Polar, with hisammunition, his carpet-bag, and his blankets, amongst myoriginal friends. I was beginning to gather my own thingstogether, when Samson, leading my horse, unexpectedly rodeinto the midst of us. The night was far advanced. TheIndians took their leave; and added to the obligation bybequeathing us a large fresh salmon, which served us for manya day to come.As a postscript I may add that I found poor Mary's address onone of her letters, and faithfully kept my promise as soon asI reached pen and ink.Chapter 28WHAT remains to be told will not take long. Hardshipsnaturally increased as the means of bearing them diminished.I have said the salmon held out for many days. We cut it instrips, and dried it as well as we could; but the flies andmaggots robbed us of a large portion of it. At length wewere reduced to two small hams; nothing else except a littletea. Guessing the distance we had yet to go, and taking intoaccount our slow rate of travelling, I calculated the numberof days which, with the greatest economy, these could be madeto dermeslast. Allowing only one meal a day, and that of thescantiest, I scored the hams as a cook scores a leg of roastpork, determined under no circumstances to exceed the dailyration.